Local girls’ hoop teams conclude 2018-19 seasons
The high school basketball season drew to a close for Ojai’s three schools fielding varsity girls’ teams recently. For the third time in four years, Thacher finished with the best record and the city championship.
The Toads finished 12-5 overall and went a perfect 8-0 in the Frontier League. During the regular season, Thacher knocked off Nordhoff 39-26 in December and twice defeated Villanova in league play in January, 48-26 and 39-31.
Thacher soccer advances to Division 7 finals
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Thacher’s Peter Phipps (No. 17) advances the ball in a game earlier this season while teammate Julian Amaya (No. 10) looks on.
After a 1-0 win against Linfield Christian at Linfield’s field in Temecula, the Thacher Toads have advanced to Division 7 finals. The semifinal game was a tough-fought victory, with the lone point scored on a penalty kick by senior Max Golbere, an Ojai native. “It was a very intense game,” said coach Juan Sanchez. Throughout the game, the Thacher defense did a great job of keeping a high line, keeping the Linfield players far from the goal. When the Lions did bring danger, Thacher goalie Omar Khattab was there to make the stop.
Ferreira and Rogers earn All-CIF honors
Ojai Valley News photos by Ken Brown
Nordhoff High School senior Brayden Rogers finished his season with 1,756 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground. For his efforts, Rogers was recently named to the All-CIF Southern Section Division 10 team. Rogers was one of Nordhoff’s most productive and durable players in recent years, and was a big reason the Rangers were able to return to the playoffs in 2018. Also earning a spot on the All-CIF Southern Section team was junior defensive lineman Brian Ferreira. Despite having to face much larger offensive linemen much of the season, Ferreira managed to record 51 tackles and three quarterback sacks this fall. Ferreira will lead a core group of returning players next year as the Rangers look to get back to the postseason in 2019.
VPS run ends in semifinals
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
Villanova Prep head coach Tim Settem and the Wildcats celebrate after a 7-3 playoff victory over Webb School Feb. 9.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
After making a run at a CIF Southern Section championship in 2018, the Villanova Preparatory School girls’ water polo team kicked off its 2019 postseason with an impressive opening round win over Cypress High School, 7-6.
The match went back and forth and the Centurions rallied late to tie the score a 6-6;,but the Wildcats did not panic. Sophomore Kirsten Ewing hit the back of the goal with a little over a minute to play, and VPS advanced to the second round thanks to Ewing’s clutch performance.
NHS soccer loses on penalty kicks
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Despite efforts from players like senior Kelly Tucker (pictured above), the Nordhoff High School girls’ soccer team lost in the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 6 playoffs Feb. 8 against the Archer School for Girls. Nordhoff and Archer battled to a 1-1 tie, but the Panthers won, 4-2, on penalty kicks. Nordhoff’s goal was scored by Ofelia Navarro. The Lady Rangers finished their season with an overall record of 11-4-2.
Villanova Prep girls’ basketball ousted in second round
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
Villanova Prep senior Madison Fabbian dribbles through the Cobalt Institute defense while head coach Dan Mercer looks on. Villanova would lose, 55-53, ending their postseason run.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The Villanova Preparatory School’s girls’ basketball team heated up just in time for the 2019 CIF Southern Section playoffs. After defeating Hillcrest Christian in a wild card game, VPS earned the right to take on the Riverside County Education Academy in a first-round game and came away with a commanding 65-33 victory.
Nordhoff boys’ basketball eliminated from playoffs
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff High School junior A.J. Johnson (No. 31) goes up to collect a rebound against Oakwood High School. The Nordhoff boys would fall short to Oakwood in their third playoff game, after defeating Santa Maria Valley Christian at home and Westmark on the road.
Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent
Nordhoff High School boys’ varsity basketball team’s unlikely run through the CIF-SS 5A playoffs came to an end Feb. 12 in Ojai.
After defeating Santa Maria Valley Christian, 65-37, and then upsetting host Westmark, 63-62, in overtime, the Rangers came up short against visiting Oakwood from North Hollywood (14-9), losing, 59-40.
Cansler places, but won’t advance to Masters
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff senior Nick Cansler dominates a Santa Paula opponent earlier this season.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
Nordhoff High School senior wrestler Nick Cansler took part in the CIF Northern Division Wrestling Championships Feb. 9 and 10 at Citrus High School in Perris, Calif. and finished in seventh place. Despite his strong showing, Cansler narrowly missed a chance to advance to the CIF Masters Championships, but he drew plenty of praise from NHS head coach Paul Clementi.
“Nick Cansler has done everything the coaching staff has asked him to do as a captain and leader on the team this year. We are very happy he finishes his career at Nordhoff as a CIF placer, he deserved to be one,” he said.
Casitas rowers strike gold in Long Beach
Photo by Wendy Gillett
The Casitas Rowing team had another successful showing at the Long Beach President’s Day Regatta Feb. 9. Among the top performances was a gold medal for the freshmen boys 4x, which includes two athletes from Oak Grove and one from Nordhoff High School. The gold medal team is composed of, from left to right: coach Elliot O’Neil, Robert Leavitt, Zeph Castel, Jacob Coolman, Gus Weiners and Konner Pegg. According to coach Wendy Gillett, there is still time for athletes to join the team for spring. Visit casitasrowing.org for more details.
Rotary Club honors San Antonio School student
Photo submitted
The Rotary Club of Ojai recently presented its Physical Education Project Student of the Month Award to Daniel Hernandez. Hernandez is a sixth-grader at San Antonio Elementary School where he has attended since kindergarten. He is described by his teachers as a dedicated athlete and fierce competitor, while still being a wonderful teammate. Hernandez is a skilled soccer player and is also a standout on the baseball diamonds. For his efforts, Hernandez was given a certificate and a check for $300 from Rotary Club members.
Five Nordhoff wrestlers claim league titles
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Nordhoff High School junior wrestler Michael Trejo controls an opponent from the top position at the Citrus Coast League championship tournament.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The inaugural Citrus Coast League wrestling championship tournament was held Feb. 2 at Fillmore High School. The Nordhoff Ranger grapplers brought home five gold medals; and six Nordhoff wrestlers punched their ticket to the CIF sectional championships. Three will attend as alternates.
Villanova wins playoff opener
Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent
Villanova Preparatory School’s girls’ basketball team recorded its first postseason win in eight years, defeating Hillcrest Christian of Thousand Oaks 48-22 Tuesday at Clark Gymnasium in Ojai.
The Wildcats’ last playoff win came during the 2012 season, when then coach Ray Pierson guided the team to a 25-8 mark and all the way to CIF-SS Finals and State Regional semifinals. Their last playoff appearance (a first-round loss) was in 2015 under head coach Harry Carbonati.
“We came out strong and made a statement,” said Villanova’s second year head coach Dan Mercer.
The teams entered the CIF-SS Division 5A wild card contest with identical 11-8 records, but Villanova used a press and an extended half court zone to hold the Eagles to just 18 percent shooting while forcing 27 turnovers, including 17 in the first half when the hosts jumped out to a 34-8 lead.
Nordhoff girls’ soccer wins first round playoff match
Photo by Jenny Whitsitt
Carla Rodas (right) kicks in the goal that puts the Nordhoff Rangers' varisty soccer team ahead against Fillmore on Jan. 30 at home. The junior varsity team was undefeated during the regular season.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The Nordhoff High School girls’ soccer team scored its first post season victory in recent memory Feb. 6, when it faced the Wiseburn Da Vinci Wolves out of El Segundo in the opening rounding of the CIF Southern Section playoffs. Despite the Wolves coming into the playoffs with a 16-4-3 record, the Lady Rangers dominated the match and won 3-1.
Nordhoff boys' ballers advance
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff junior AJ Johnson (No. 31) blocks a shot against Valley Christian Academy in the first round of the CIF Southern Section playoffs Feb. 6. The Rangers went on to win the game, 65-37.
Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent
Nordhoff High School’s boys’ varsity basketball team made the most of its first playoff appearance in five years, defeating Santa Maria’s Valley Christian 65-37 Feb. 6 in Ojai.
“I don’t ever think my blood pressure has been so high in a 30-point win,” said first year NHS head coach Scott Hannah, whose team improved to 10-16 on the season.